Australia secured one of the greatest wins in their cricketing history as they overcame a massive first innings deficit to post a 36-run triumph over Pakistan in Sydney on Wednesday.
Inspired by a second innings 123-run partnership for the ninth wicket between man of the match Michael Hussey and Peter Siddle, Australia set the tourists a testing 176 run target on the fourth day at the SCG which proved too much.
Off-spinner Nathan Hauritz with five wickets for 53 and paceman Mitchell Johnson with three for 27 did the damage as Pakistan fell well short and go 2-0 down in the best-of- three series which now concludes in Hobart.
Australia had begun what proved to be a momentous day, leading by just 80 runs on second innings with two wickets remaining, but Hussey and Siddle continued their obstinate stand on a pitch that was playing easier.
Siddle eventually went for a Test-best 38 to Mohammad Asif and Danish Kaneria removed last man Doug Bollinger to complete a five-wicket haul as Hussey was left undefeated on 134.
The wicket was challenging and the way the guys stuck it out was wonderful
--Ricky Ponting
Set a still modest total, Pakistan could not cope with the pressure and the wicket of captain Mohammad Yousuf, brilliantly caught and bowled by Hauritz, proved the turning point with Misbah-ul-Haq qoing two balls later.
The promising Umar Akman made 49, but could find little support and when he was eighth out to Doug Bollinger, victory was within Australia's grasp.
Hauritz, who also claimed a five-wicket haul in Australia's first Test victory in Melbourne, repeated the feat with the final two wickets to spark scenes of wild celebration.
Australia had been skittled out for just 127 runs in their first innings on the opening day as Asif claimed six wickets and trailed by 206 runs after Pakistan made 333 in their first knock.
Victory seemed virtually impossible, but they become only the sixth team in Test history to recover from a first innings deficit of over 200.
Captain Ricky Ponting paid tribute to his team and their battling qualities.
"The wicket was challenging and the way the guys stuck it out was wonderful," he said.
Pakistan had been bidding for their first win over Australia in 14 years and to tie the series going into the final Test.
0 comments:
Post a Comment